High school is an exciting part of a student’s life. You have your entire life ahead with a million possibilities for career choices. This is exactly the right time to start thinking of how you see yourself in the future.

Experts predict that an average person changes more than five careers in their life. The covid-19 pandemic proved that companies and personnel need to change directions to adapt to changing times. Apart from the pandemic, it is also very common for people’s interests to evolve with time. Keeping all this in mind, high school students need to know that whatever career path they choose in the future, some tips can benefit them greatly. We’ve jotted down some of these pieces of advice that counselors give to students.

Find a mentor

We all grow up with an idealistic career path in our minds. Our dreams may change with time as our exposure to the world increases. The reality of any profession is unknown to someone from the outside as the grass always appears greener on the other side. This is why it is very imperative to socialize and interact with people who’d give you greater insight into the realities of different professions. You can interact with teachers, family members, neighbors, friends, and counselors to discuss their experiences with college and careers. There is also a sea of information available over the internet on guiding students. The American School Counselor Association and other foundations have provided school counselors resources through which counselors can help student articulate their interests and identify what careers might fit them.

Shadowing someone for a day at work is an excellent way to understand how things are done. You get to experience the career you are interested in and learn more about it.

Discover your interests

There is a famous saying, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” It simply means that when you love your job, it will feel less of a burden and more of a choice. And high school is the right time to identify these interests and see what the future holds for you career-wise. Many career assessments on the internet can help you decide which career might be suitable for you based on your likes. You can do your research on that particular career by looking up over the internet and interacting with people in that field.

Exploring different things

Putting yourself out in the world is the best way to learn. There is so much out there that can shape your opinion of the world and yourself. Trying and exploring different things can increase your exposure, which can help you learn a lot about yourself. Even if you know what your interests are, you should never be hesitant to explore more. Try acting, painting, or cooking; you might enjoy them and see a future in these careers.

Get involved

Internships and volunteer work can be a great help in identifying our interests and discovering new career paths. Volunteer work has been proven to broaden perspectives and exposure as you get to meet people of every background. On the other hand, internships are a great way of understanding the workspace and career paths. You get hands-on training and experience that teaches you what it would be like working.

Networking

Networking has been proven to be extremely beneficial for career growth. For high schoolers, networking can teach them communication and interpersonal skills that are much in demand by recruiters now. Also, it is an excellent way to learn about other people’s job experiences. Having a large social circle is also an excellent way of finding new gigs, internships, and jobs.

Research trends

Many jobs that are now highly in demand did not exist a decade back. For example, the field of data science has gained immense popularity ever since social media has become an integral part of our lives. The term “data analysis” was coined back in 1962, but it became the need of the hour only after 2010 when businesses understood how valuable data can be for their growth. Currently, data scientists and analysts are among the highest-paid jobs globally.

This example teaches us that studying trends and understanding where different career paths are headed can give you a deep insight into what the future holds. You may be interested in a career that has no place in the future. To save time, let your curiosity be free and continue learning and observing the world around you.

Learn skills

Many skills can never become outdated. Job titles have changed with time, but the skills will always remain. As discussed above, understanding trends is the key. Lookup for what recruiters now seek in aspirants. Researches prove that soft skills like interpersonal and communications skills have been given equal importance as hard skills. This is because workspaces have become dynamic. Businesses have grown on a global scale, and thus, it is expected of employees to interact with a variety of people.

Similarly, skills relevant to technology and the internet are very important. Others like project management and copywriting come in very handy within any workspace.

Work Hard

Grades do not matter, indeed. However, we cannot brush away the fact that working hard has many benefits. Don’t give up on any learning opportunity like summer courses or other pieces of training. Educate yourself to the best of your ability. Read books, newspapers, and articles to stay up-to-date with all that’s happening around you and in the world. Working hard sits well with employers and recruiters. It can help you reach your set goals and allow you to take breaks whenever possible.

Conclusion

High school is known as the transition time from teen years to adult life. Although your high school experience does not set any precedence for how your entire future shall be, it is always wise to start ahead. Use these years to discover yourself and what career paths might suit you. Avail this time to grow both academically as well as a good citizen. Enjoy with your peers but never stop learning and shining.